Air India 787 Collision Update: Unraveling Today's Events
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is currently probing the cause of the Air India flight AI171 crash that occurred on June 13, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB, took off from Ahmedabad airport and tragically crashed just seconds after takeoff, resulting in 274 fatalities, including 241 passengers and crew onboard and nine on the ground, with only one survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh[1][3][5].
The AAIB has recovered both black boxes (Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder) from the wreckage and is analysing the data within India[1][2][3][5]. The data from these black boxes has been successfully recovered, and the investigation is ongoing.
The authorities are examining all possible angles, including sabotage, system malfunction, sudden power loss, and a rare simultaneous dual engine failure[1][2][3][5]. However, aviation analyst James Nixon suggests the crash may have been a pilot-induced incident, not a plane failure[6].
The Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has emphasised the involvement of multiple agencies and the review of CCTV footage as part of the comprehensive inquiry[2]. The final investigation report is expected within the next three months.
A passenger who flew on the same Air India aircraft just two hours before the crash has claimed the plane showed signs of technical issues during its earlier flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad, including unresponsive in-cabin systems and malfunctioning air conditioning[7].
It's important to note that there is no current evidence requiring the grounding of Boeing 787 aircraft[5]. AirlineRatings, a leading airline safety and product rating organisation, advises against speculation and urges waiting for investigators to analyse the data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder before drawing conclusions[6].
Authorities have stated that families overseas are being contacted and DNA samples collected for the identification of the deceased[1][3][5]. So far, 265 bodies have been recovered, suggesting at least 24 people were killed on the ground[1][3][5].
This tragic event marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner[1][3][5]. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
References: [1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-india-crash-black-boxes-recovered-from-crash-site/article64896597.ece [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61067887 [3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/13/asia/air-india-crash-india-intl/index.html [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-air-accident-investigation-bureau-says-black-boxes-recovered-2025-06-13/ [5] https://www.airlineratings.com/news/air-india-crash-no-evidence-for-grounding-boeing-787-aircraft/ [6] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/14/air-india-crash-analyst-suggests-pilot-error-not-plane-failure.html [7] https://www.wsj.com/articles/air-india-plane-crash-passenger-claims-plane-showed-signs-of-technical-issues-during-previous-flight-11657572392
The ongoing investigation of the Air India flight AI171 crash is expanding beyond the initial focus on mechanical malfunction and engine failure, as aviation analyst James Nixon suggests it might have been a pilot-induced incident. The finance and industry sectors, especially the transportation and aviation industries, are closely monitoring this developing news.
